hi everyone

this is a v serious post - i know i need some proper advice before engaging in what i am considering doing.

my next-door neighbours have 4 dogs, all boys, 1 older back lab (@15 maybe) and 3 much younger JRTs. Ruby my 14 wk old cavalier has met some dogs since she's been with us but she's just done the mutual sniff thing with them, hasn't got as far as playing with any of them but also she hasn't really been scared either, just a bit of mutual wariness. we're starting puppy classes in a couple of weeks so she'll have good pup socialisation then - got 3 14 wk labs, a 1 yr old springer spaniel & a 16 wk old weimeraner in our class so shld be lovely!

i'm thinking of asking my neighbours if we could introduce our dogs - after all we will definitely be bumping into each other on walks frequently and they yap at each other over the hedge already! might be nice playmates. thing is - i have no idea how into dog training/control our neighbours are, ive never really talked to them much myself (i only just moved back here a few months ago), and i want to have a good idea of how it should be done safely to ensure that ruby doesn't have a bad experience before i talk to them to arrange it. i am sure it'll be fine - i'd just like some proper expert advice on how we should do it.

thanks :)

Hi Katie,
I would ask if you could introduce Ruby to their dogs one at a time - that way there's far less likely to be any problems, because Ruby won't be intimidated by meeting just one as opposed to a 'pack' and the other dogs won't have the back-up from their mates so are more likely to be polite. I know it works with mine. Good luck - it's a good idea to do it.
:)

Hi Katie,
It might be a good idea to let them meet on neutral territory too. I'd say off lead too but not sure about that, would need to be somewhere secure. What do others think?

Kath

Yes, meeting on neutral territory is good. I would first suggest on leads, walking in the same direction so they get used to each other's presence without it being a 'meeting' as such. When they are happy with that it should be safe to let them off, depending of course on where you are!

Jeangenie,
If they have to meet in a smallish area, so there isn't room to walk far, would circling each other work? I was just thinking that is what dogs do naturally when they meet to avoid face-to-face confrontations ( also chance to do the bum sniff!!)

Kath.

that sounds like good advice - the thing about meeting one by one had definitely occurred to me (they had a doggy visitor yesterday, another JRT and i noticed the 'pack' all sniffing him at once and poor thing looked pretty intimidated - and he's the same size as them!)

also the thing about neutral territory had occurred - and it sounds sensible to go on a walk together - i don't actually let ruby off lead out yet, where we can go is too close to big busy roads and she doesn't have a v reliable recall at all yet. but i use a 8m extension lead - so its not too restricting once we're in the local fields.

theres a walk we do which is up the road about 15m then over onto public right of way which starts by crossing a big field that's kept for mowing grass - so no probs if dogs scamper over it under control (i know the landowner, its def fine) - i reckon walking up to that field and letting them come across each other there prob sounds best idea.

if anyone else has any pointers do post them, will be few days before i get this organised - but i shall let you know how it goes!

Thank you :)

Not particularly abou this topic, but just wondering how Ruby is getting along with the traffic now?

hello!

she's geting on MUCH better with it now - she'll have a little lunge onto the grass verge every now and then if a v big freight thing comes past, our pavements are dead small and you're v close to the traffic so i don't worry about it.

she's discovered (a) the traffic won't hurt her, despite how big & noisy it is and (b) suffering a bit of traffic noise ends up in exciting visits to fields with rabbit and sheep poo to play with (mmmmm nice ruby) or local pub to become absolute centre of attention or meeting new 'friends' along the way.... she seems a v happy pup, thanks for asking!

she is funny though - i never had a dog before and i find her a constant revelation. her latest trick is that she's started noticing her own reflection in the patio windows and the oven glass and barking at it!! She's a little bit apprehensive of other dogs (thinking about posting separately about this one) as too many big dogs have rushed up and sniffed at her and she doesn't really like it - doesn't get distressed exactly but barks at them and hides behind my legs. i've resisted the urge to do anything other than stand still until they've passed, but its hard. can't wait till pup classes start in a couple of weeks, hopefully she'll get some good time spent with other dogs there....!

do you htink she will learn about the reflection thing like toddlers do? i sure hope so otherwise she's going to be forever yapping at the oven! mum may have an excuse for a new kitchen after all.......!

Hi Katie,
It's really nice to hear things are going so well. You sound to be doing the right thing regarding other dogs, if you picked her up or made a fuss she might get the idea there's something to worry about.

My Bess used to whine at my reflection in the oven door (but not bark at her own). I think it must have puzzled her that I was in two places at once. So long ago, I'd forgotton about it, so she must have grown out of it fairly young ( she's 6 now).

Kath.